Though he's now known primarily for his emotionally-loaded, reflective contemporary classical and piano compositions, Max Richter's roots actually lie in the UK electronic music scene of the 1990s. Frequent collaborations with well-respected artists such as Roni Size and The Future Sound of London allowed him access to modern, electric experimentation that his classically-trained studies at the Royal Academy of Music hadn't touched on. It's this melding of disparate elements that characterizes Richter's music and has earned him a reputable solo career. Blending melancholy, minor chord piano melodies, pensive string arrangements and subtle use of found sounds and electronic loops, his albums maintain a strong sense of atmosphere and space throughout, often evoking a sweeping, theatrical feel. It's no surprise then that Richter has now started to dabble in film scoring, including his work on the 2008 film Waltz with Bashir.
